SXSW: Magnolia Acquires U.S. Rights To ‘Muscle Shoals’

BREAKING: Magnolia Pictures has acquired U.S. rights to Muscle Shoals, the documentary about the iconic Alabama recording studio that hatched some of music’s great tunes. Directed by Greg ‘Freddy’ Camalier, the film features interviews with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Percy Sledge, Gregg Allman, Clarence Carter, Alicia Keys, Bono and many others.

The docu first played at Sundance in January, and the deal comes as the film makes its debut at SXSW. Pic is about how Rick Hall overcame crushing personal hardship to put together a recording studio and house band (the Swampers) that became legendary for its electrifying musical chemistry. Luring some of the biggest figures in 20th century pop music, like Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, the Staples Singers, the Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Simon and Garfunkel, the studio produced all-time classic songs like “Mustang Sally,” “I Never Loved A Man,” “Wild Horses” and many more, uniting black and white musicians in the deep South during an incendiary period of racial hostility.

“It captures the elusive magic of a truly special place that birthed some of the most exciting music ever made,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “Music fans of all ages are going to find this story revelatory.”